Sean talks about how the wealth of some Mennonites was a main factor in Makhno's attacks. Pictured here is a photo of a 'modern' Mennonite estate residence in Southern Russia Steinbach, Molotschna. (MHC PP-4-044-240.0)
Today, we bring you Part 3, the final instalment of our series on Nestor Makhno, a Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary leader during the civil uprisings of the late 1910s. In Part 3, Sean Patterson brings us insights into the role that wealth and ethnicity played in the movement named for Makhno, and draw some conclusions about what Mennonites today can and should take away from this story.
Series synopsis:
In Part 1 (Nov. 8), we take a deep dive into the life of Nestor Makhno’s early years, learn about his ideology, how he understood anarchy, and what his goals were.
In Part 2 (Nov. 16), we focus on the terrible Eichenfeld Massacre, and find out if and how Makhno was implicated.
In Part 3 (Nov. 23), we look draw some conclusions about what Mennonites today can and should take away from this story.
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Podcast Series: Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives
Episode 51: Who Was Nestor Makhno? (Part 3)
Date: November 23, 2025
Host: Dan Dyck
Published by The Mennonite Heritage Archives
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